Chapter 8 - Gossip and secret crush
Jiale opened the door, and Alin noticed her in the dressing room, observing the lipstick marks on Jiale's lips.
"Wow! That first dress is absolutely stunning," Alin commented, her tone tinged with awkwardness.
Following that, Jiale helped Michelle choose three outfits. After they finished shopping, they left the store.
"Are you hungry?" Jiale asked.
"I'm not hungry yet. Let's take a look at your clothes," Michelle replied.
"Mine? I hardly ever buy clothes myself; my manager usually handles that," Jiale explained.
"Then allow a woman to assist you for once," Michelle suggested.
"Alright then," Jiale conceded.
They entered the Hugo Boss store.
"So, both you and Chengdong are fans of this brand; that's convenient," Michelle noted.
Inside the store, Michelle carefully evaluated Jiale's figure to help select the right apparel. The sales clerk stared in astonishment.
"Boss Gu, is she your...?" the clerk inquired, taken aback.
"Let her choose," Jiale responded.
---
In Singapore, at 93.5 FM in the television station office, it was 12:30 PM.
In the manager's office, Chengdong handed a check to the manager.
"Manager, I'm not feeling well and need to leave early to see a doctor in either Hong Kong or Korea," Chengdong stated.
"Chengdong, please keep the check. You've made significant contributions to the station. You won't be charged for leaving early. The most important thing is for us to see you healthy when you return to Singapore," the manager reassured him.
At that moment, Sufen and Bao Ge entered the room together.
"Yes, the manager is correct. You need to return healthy," Bao Ge added.
Chengdong was visibly emotional.
"I may not be so lucky. However, over the last decade, I've accomplished a lot; I've become an anchor, a recognized model, and even proposed to my girlfriend. I feel grateful," Chengdong expressed, tears in his eyes.
Sufen gently patted him on the shoulder.
"Handsome, don't scare us! You're healthy, so why say such dreadful things?" Sufen questioned anxiously.
"Did the doctor find something concerning?" Bao Ge asked.
"The doctor mentioned that my cancer might return. Honestly, I battled severe cancer at seventeen. If it returns, my chances of recovery will be slim," Chengdong sadly admitted.
"Chengdong, there's something I hesitate to tell you. A Hong Kong magazine just published a scandal involving Michelle and Jiale," the manager revealed.
"I saw that this morning. It doesn't bother me. If fate brings them together, it's a good thing. I'm going to pack my things and leave; I have a flight booked for 6 PM tonight," Chengdong stated coldly.
He exited the room, his expression blank.
Chengdong gathered his photo frames and documents from the table.
He then drove to Chen's house.
---
Outside Chen's house at 1 PM, Chengdong arrived without having had lunch. He rang the doorbell, and Mi Qiang answered.
"Chengdong, here's a check for you. Consider it my purchase of your car," Mi Qiang said.
"Brother Qiang, that's unnecessary. My car is five years old; I don't need such a large sum," Chengdong replied.
"It's fine. By the way, I called Michelle's cell this morning, and she didn't answer. I'm sorry she has been causing trouble! I'll speak to her," Mi Qiang said.
"Brother Qiang, you're misunderstanding Michelle. She's filming, and scandals are just part of the job. I'll head back to Hong Kong tonight to find her," Chengdong reassured.
"Do you want me to drive you back to the apartment?" Mi Qiang offered.
"No, there's a bus that takes me directly home. Goodbye," Chengdong replied.
Chengdong took the bus.
On Bus No. 30, several passengers recognized him.
"Isn't that Song Chengdong? Why is he riding the bus alone? I heard he was in the hospital recently!" some women whispered.
Chengdong overheard and fought back tears, feeling overwhelmed. He looked out the window, avoiding eye contact with anyone inside the bus.
He listened to their murmurs until he stood up to prepare for his stop.
"Enough! I may be an artist, but I'm still human! Can I have some space, please?" Chengdong exclaimed in frustration.
After getting off the bus, he felt dizzy from anger, grasped the pillar for support, wiped his tears, and slowly walked home, sobbing as he went.
---
In Hong Kong at Harbour City, it was 3 PM at a sushi restaurant.
"Oh, I didn't expect to be shopping for clothes so late. I'm starving!" Michelle exclaimed, clearly delighted.
"Eat slowly," Jiale advised.
After their meal, they headed to the press conference meeting room.
It was 11 PM when they left. Chengdong had made several calls at 10:30 PM, but Michelle's phone had died, leaving her unaware of his attempts to reach her.
"Wow! It's so late! My phone is completely dead too," Michelle noted.
"Let's grab a midnight snack," Jiale suggested.
They picked up wonton noodles and returned home.
At Jiale's Hilltop Villa at midnight, they enjoyed their noodles, showered, and fell asleep in their respective rooms.
The following morning, Michelle powered on her phone and noticed that Chengdong had called her over ten times.
"Chengdong called me so many times?! What's going on?" she wondered aloud.
She quickly dialed Chengdong.
At 7 AM in Chengdong's villa in Discovery Bay, he had barely slept, suffering from a fever. He took antipyretics the night before, but his condition hadn't improved.
"Hey, Michelle. Why aren't you at the villa? Where are you?" Chengdong asked weakly, irritation evident in his voice.
"I'm sorry, I worked really late and stayed at a friend's house. I'll be back this evening," Michelle replied.
Chengdong coughed audibly on the other end.
"Are you okay, Chengdong?" Michelle asked, concerned.
"I'm fine, just focus on your work. See you tonight," he replied.
After hanging up, Michelle got up, brushed her teeth, and prepared breakfast. Half an hour later, Jiale entered the kitchen.
"You're up early," Jiale remarked.
"Chengdong came to Hong Kong. He sounds unwell, and I'm worried," Michelle said.
"Don't fret; we'll rush back as soon as the press conference wraps up," Jiale reassured her.
Michelle nodded in agreement.
They then made their way to Tsim Sha Tsui, where Michelle visited Chanel's makeup studio while Jiale went to Hugo Boss.
Two hours later, Jiale entered the Chanel store.
"Boss Gu, A-Lin will be ready soon. Please wait here a moment," an employee informed him.
As Jiale waited, he overheard employees discussing Michelle.
"Wow! Miss Chen looks like an angel in that special edition Lucid dress! I'm so envious!" one employee exclaimed.
Intrigued, Jiale stepped into the studio.
"It's done! Just a quick spray of setting spray!" A-Lin announced.
Jiale was taken aback by Michelle's appearance.
"This is Michelle Chen?! She's even more stunning than Xue! What am I thinking? She's Chengdong's fiancée; I shouldn't feel this way!" Jiale scolded himself.
Michelle approached him and playfully pinched his cheek.
"Hey, we should go. What are you staring at?" she asked.
"Nothing. Let's go," Jiale replied, slightly flustered.
---
Outside Chengdong's villa in Discovery Bay at 1 PM, he stepped outside, still coughing, just as Lifen returned home.
"Chengdong! So you bought this villa. Is Miss Chen your fiancée?" Lifen asked in surprise.
"Auntie, it's been a while," Chengdong replied.
"Xiaodong, you look thinner. Please take care of yourself," Lifen said with concern.
At the press conference in Harbour City at 3 PM, Eric remarked, "Wow! Michelle looks beautiful today."
"I was stunned too. She's completely transformed!" Jiale agreed.
They were preparing for the press conference scheduled for 4 PM.
Chengdong took the ferry to Harbour City and walked to the specialist clinic.
At E & J Specialist Clinic at 3:30 PM, a nurse called out, "Song Chengdong!"
Chengdong entered Dr. Liu's office.
"Mr. Song, the National University Hospital of Singapore has sent us your test results. Are you still taking the prohibited medication? The doctor in Singapore mentioned you're getting married soon, and we need to discontinue the pills. However, stopping them could significantly impact your health," Dr. Liu explained.
"But you prescribed this medication! Why are you asking me to stop now?" Chengdong questioned anxiously.
"Your cancer has relapsed, and it's more severe this time. The prolonged use of this medication has affected your liver. We'll provide you with an alternative to manage your bleeding, but it's crucial to seek treatment immediately. It's already at stage two. Delaying could be detrimental; finding a suitable bone marrow donor is essential," Dr. Liu advised.
Chengdong left the room in a daze, waiting on the sofa for his medication.
After receiving the prescription, he went to the first floor and noticed a crowded press conference. He saw Michelle and Jiale posing for photos together, which filled him with sorrow. Chengdong felt as though Michelle and Jiale had spotted him in the crowd.
He walked away, feeling despondent.
--- End ---.